Subscribe for real-time aromatherapy updates from the American College, including aromatherapy tips, research, aromatherapy blends, and essential oils uses for prevention, healing, and relaxation. ACHS is based in Portland, Oregon offering accredited online degrees in aromatherapy including a Master of Science in Aromatherapy, Associate of Applied Sciences in Aromatherapy, Certificate in Aromatherapy and Diploma in Aromatherapy. Financial Aid available to those who qualify.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Our bodies are comprised of up to 70% water. But, we still need to moisturize daily. Why? Moisturizing keeps water in our skin, and a good, natural moisturizer will also shield your skin from environmental irritants like dust, toxins, and winter weather.

To help keep water in, our bodies produce a natural moisturizer called sebum. But sebum is no longer enough. Most people don’t drink enough water, eat properly, or avoid pollution enough to not need an additional moisturizer.

Remember, even the best or most expensive moisturizers will fall short if you don’t drink enough water. Our skin draws moisture from our bodies, and without it, the skin dries, shrinks, and wrinkles with age. Water also flushes toxins from the system, which results in healthier body systems, and hydrates, which helps with concentration and stress relief.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Relaxation is as fundamental for good health as the food you eat. It is important not to neglect relaxation, regardless of how busy you are.

Attitude and emotion have a significant influence on our health. We live in a stressed out world—just driving to work or reading the newspaper can cause stress. And although we cannot always control what causes us stress, we can control how we deal with stress.

Be proactive. Reacting to stress typically causes more stress. Negative thoughts and worry accumulate in the body, which can lead to aches and pains, dysfunction, and premature aging. What to do? Let go of stress. Aromatherapy is an easy-to-use, at-home technique for stress relief. A few moments of daily Me Time will help you to be your best at all other times.

Monday, September 22, 2008

To Sleep, Perchance to Smell? Odors can affect the emotional tone of dreams, study finds

By Serena GordonReproduced from HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, Sept. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Can the smell of rotten eggs or roses change the type of dream you have?

Quite possibly, new research suggests.

German researchers are reporting that when people smelled the scent of rotten eggs while sleeping, the nature of their dreams turned decidedly negative, while those who got a whiff of the scent of roses had more positive dreams.

"We were able to stimulate the sleeper with high concentrations of positively and negatively smelling odors and measure if the stimuli were incorporated into the dreams and changed the emotional tone of dreams," said the study's lead author, Dr. Boris Stuck, a professor of otorhinolaryngology at Heidelberg University.

"We found that the sleeper hardly ever dreamed of smelling something. Nevertheless, the emotional tone of the dream did change depending on the stimulation," he said.

Stuck said that previous research had shown that other types of stimulation, such as sound, pressure or vibration, could influence the content and the emotional tone of dreams.

The difficulty in conducting such research, he said, is finding the point where you can introduce a stimulus that's strong enough to influence a dream, but not so strong that it wakes the sleeper. Certain odors, such as peppermint, not only stimulate the sense of smell, but can irritate the nasal passages as well.

To overcome this, Stuck and his colleagues used chemicals that simulated either the smell of roses or the smell of rotten eggs.

The study included 15 young, healthy females. As the women entered rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, when dreaming occurs, they were exposed to either a non-odorous control smell, the rose smell or the rotten egg smell. Each woman underwent three REM "awakenings," so they were exposed to each test once.

Once awakened, they were asked to report the content of their dreams. In 40 of the 45 awakenings, dreams were reported.

The researchers asked the women to assess the content of their dream on an emotional "coloration" scale that measured the tone of their dream. They were asked to rate the positive or negative coloration of their dream on a scale of 0 to 3. Zero was no coloration and 3 was strong coloration.

After the control stimulation, there was a slightly positive average coloration of 0.5; after the rotten egg smell, the coloration averaged -0.4; and after the rose smell, the coloration was +1.2, according to the study.

"When stimulating the subject with a positive smell, the emotional coloration was positive in nearly every case, while with negative stimulation, the emotional tone was shifted to negative," Stuck said.

The findings were expected to be presented Sept. 21 at the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting, in Chicago.

Pamela Dalton is an expert on odor perception and a sensory psychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. She said, "We are aware at some level of our odorous ambient environment at all times, and I don't think we appreciate that. At some level, our brains are always aware. If this study shows that we can alter the emotional content of dreams, think about what an odor can do to your mood without you even being aware."

Dalton said the study findings could be a first step in finding a way to change people's perceptions of emotionally disturbing places, such as hospitals or nursing homes. But, she added, it's also possible that a reverse association could occur, and people might simply begin linking the good smell with the bad place.

"Odors become associated with good and bad very readily," she said.

More information

Learn more about your sense of smell from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

ACHS's announcement of achieving the first and only accredited and state approved online Associates and Masters degrees in Complementary Alternative Medicine was featured in the May 2008 issue of the American Holistic Health Association's (AHHA) newsletter.

Read about ACHS's achievement in the Good News column of AHHA's newsletter online here.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

ACHS is delighted to announce the launch of its new English Composition courses, with the first class starting November 17, 2008.

“Required for the ACHS Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine degree program, English composition is also vital for anyone in the holistic health industry,” says Co-Education Director Erika Yigzaw. “Many graduates have enjoyed success authoring books, magazine articles, blogs, e-magazines, and newsletters. The English Composition classes will strengthen students’ skills for their career and provide vital life skills in English composition.”

The English Composition classes use ACHS’s dynamic online classroom format, with extensive interactive multimedia activities and peer to peer and instructor interaction. ACHS has worked with international publisher Pearson Education to develop the online content for these user-friendly yet content rich courses, and we are sure they will delight both new and existing ACHS students.

View more information about these accredited, fully online English Composition courses online:

ACHS is also delighted to welcome new faculty to ACHS to teach the English Composition classes, the first of which is Sarah Louise.

Sarah Louise holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, an LL.B., and 24 graduate hours toward a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. She also teaches online writing courses at DeVry University and Baker College and comments that “these online classes have been among the most enjoyable experiences of my career.” She has developed and taught courses in English Composition, Literature, Technical Writing, Writing the Research Paper, Developmental English courses, Business Writing, and Creative Writing at Northern New Mexico College as well as the University of New Mexico. She has also directed the writing lab at Northern New Mexico College, which provides computer-assisted learning, individualized tutorial aid, mentoring, and study groups.

Additional faculty appointments to meet the expected demand for these courses are pending and will be announced shortly.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Wednesday, September 10, 11 am to 3 pm.

So, you know about using essential oils for aromatherapy. Wouldn’t you like to learn many other ways to use herbs and essential oils in your everyday life? Then this fun and inspiring class is just what you need!

Join authors Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox, authors of The Creative Herbal Home, while they discuss using herbs and essential oils to create “green” household cleaning products, insect repellents, care for the gardener, first aid preparations and how to make herbal spa products.

This workshop is divided into two parts:

The use of herbs in everyday life, where Susan and Tina will show you some of their favorite herbs and demo how to make a variety of products. Includes hands-on experience of making an herbal sugar scrub, preparing an herb-infused oil (featuring Herb of the Year Calendula) , and blending your own herbal bath bag.

Demo and lecture about using essential oils to create herbal spa products as well as how to use essential oils for household uses. You'll create your own blends for an aromatic spritzer, an apple cider vinegar for cleaning house or toning skin and also therapeutic bath salts.

This enthusiastic, entertaining and exciting workshop will give you confidence and know-how to lead a healthier, happier, and greener lifestyle! Recipes and handouts are included with the workshop. A book signing will follow the workshop and the Apothecary Shoppe will be open offering herbs, essential oils, equipment and supplies that we used in class.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Aromatherapy is a powerful healer. How do I know? Well… put a scent in your burner, relax, and I’ll tell you a story.

Years ago my life was at a stressful high. As a result I developed dreadful insomnia. It would take hours to fall asleep and I would wake up often during the night. I tried the suggestions from my doctor and the health food store clerks. Nothing really worked.

As luck would have it, I received a gift that included a lavender massage oil. Curious, I went to the store it came from to learn more. I skimmed an aromatherapy book and later, based on an idea in the book, put the massage oil on a cotton ball and placed it in my pillowcase. That night I fell asleep in five minutes for the first time in six weeks.

This turn of events impressed me so much that I was inspired to study essential oils further. I developed a blend that did wonders at keeping insomnia at bay. That blend has seen little change over time and has become my best selling item. People have brought friends to me so they can try it. It works.

That brief introduction to essential oils started me on the path to where I am now… helping myself and others find relief from stress and common ailments. If you have a minor health problem, want to pamper yourself, or just want your room to smell nice, aromatherapy can help. No matter where it takes you, it is sure to be a wonderfully aromatic journey.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Linda is a Registered Aromatherapist and ACHS Graduate, and is the founder of Elemental Aromatherapy LLC. Her interest in aromatherapy and healing modalities began in 1990. In 2003 she became a Registered Aromatherapist ("RA") through the national exam written by the Aromatherapy Registration Council. Linda then received a Diploma in Aromatherapy, with Honors, from the nationally accredited Australasian College of Health Sciences. She is certified in Swiss Reflex Therapy by Shirley Price of England, and has studied the Ingham Method of Reflexology

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The open house may have passed (and was great fun) but we don't stop there! :) Be sure to take a look at the featured herb of the month!

July Herb of the month:Uva UrsiUva Ursi is a common plant in the Northern hemisphere, being found in barren, mountainous locations in Europe, Asia and America. You have to go above 3000 feet to find this indigenous herb growing wild in the US. The Native Americans used this herb for a smoking mixture, called kinnikinnik. It is of the same family as the Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, and Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens.

When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz bag of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

You also may wish to become a prepaid member of the Herb and/or Oil of the Month Club lasting 20 months:Herb of the Month ClubOil of the Month ClubYou will receive a beautifully designed 3 ring binder. Each month you will receive a new herb or oil of the month package including 8 oz of the herb of the month or 5 ml of the oil as well as an insert for your personal binder, describing your herb or oil in detail, including recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Be sure to continue to visit our Apothecary Shoppe as well for all our specials and products:ACHS Apothecary Shoppe

For information about Herbalism, or any of our programs at ACHS, please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

In celebration of the ACHS 5th Annual Lavender Open House, the Apothecary Shoppe is extending you a limited Open House additional savings to total 20%* off your order when placed by the end of day Wednesday, July 16th.

So, if you're not able to join us on-campus for this fun event, you can still take advantage of this great special saving by placing your order online!

Start shopping online now to receive this limited time special savings. Stock up on all your natural health needs or take advantage of this special savings while purchasing your holiday gifts! Be sure to add this promotion to your cart before checkout. Your additional discount will be taken off your order total during processing.

*May be combined with student or graduate discount to total 20% discount. Available in-store, online and orders by phone. Cannot be used with Recommended Reading Book Sets or Study Kits. Back ordered items will ship at a later date for a minimal shipping fee. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not valid in states where prohibited.

And yet there's one more special... All Organic Seeds are 30% off while supplies last!Organic Seeds Sale LinkWith over fifty great organic seed varieties from which to choose from, click on the link to order yours while they last.

We hope you are all enjoying your summer!For information about Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Come to the Australasian College's garden and harvest lavender for your own use! $6/bunch or $10 for 2 bunches. (size of bunch is determined by zip tie and a bunch can be a quite a nice bit)

To U-Pick Lavender come by the college during our business hours of Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5:30 pm. We are located just off Macadam in Johns Landing.Here is a link to directions to our campus:Where is the ACHS campus

This is a great deal for fresh lavender and bunches can go quickly, drop by soon. :)

While at the college be sure to visit our Apothecary Shoppe for other items or specials.

Interested in Holistic Health education? Be sure to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors about all of our programs when you stop by.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

The Asian Reporter Community Calendar lists ACHS's Lavendar Distillation demo and Open House on Wednesday July 16 from noon - 4:00pm at the college, 5940 SW Hood Ave. Portland, OR 97239.

At the Open House, you can learn about harvesting and distilling lavender into its essential oils, take a tour of the Botanical Teaching Garden, and learn how to grow different types of lavender with Master Gardener and ACHS SVP Erika Yigzaw.

The first five guests to the Open House will receive one free bunch of fresh picked lavender, so reserve your place today!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

She shares ideas and stories from her upcoming book "Raw Aromatherapy". You can hear the interview on iTunes by subscribing to Raw Vegan Radio, or by going to the website http://www.rawveganradio.com

Enjoy!

For information about Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

We hope you are enjoying June. Here in the northwest for a while it was dubbed Juneuary from the cool and gray days. Here's hoping we've moved beyond that. Regardless of the weather we have our Herb and Oil of the Month!

This month's featured herb:Yellow DockRumex crispus, a common perennial garden weed differing from the more common broad-leafed Dock in that it has long tapering leaves with a wavy leaf margin. Widely distributed throughout the US, New Zealand, and Australia, including Tasmania.

Each month we will introduce you to a new herb. When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz bag of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

June's Oil of the month is:Black PepperBlack pepper is one of the oldest and most important spices. It was used as part of the embalming process by the Egyptians. The Greeks used it in the 4th century B.C. and the Romans imported it from the East. It is one of the first spices to travel the spice route and perhaps one of the most expensive and treasured. To protect the source the traders said it came from a “sacred mountain top occupied by the gods”. Pliny spoke of it as “more expensive than gold”.

Each month we will also introduce you to a new oil. When you order the Featured Oil of the Month you will receive a new oil of the month package. This package includes 5 ml of the oil of the month and an insert, describing your oil in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

You also may wish to become a prepaid member of the Herb and/or Oil of the Month Club lasting 20 months:Herb of the Month ClubOil of the Month ClubYou will receive a beautifully designed 3 ring binder. Each month you will receive a new herb or oil of the month package including 8 oz of the herb of the month or 5 ml of the oil as well as an insert for your personal binder, describing your herb or oil in detail, including recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Be sure to continue to visit our Apothecary Shoppe as well for all our specials and products:ACHS Apothecary Shoppe

For information about Herbalism, Aromatherapy, or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

This morning we met at 7:30 for breakfast at the Taverna on the beach, then boarded the bus to take us to the Medieval city of Ano Syros. The 700 year old town was built as a fortress on the highest central point of the island. We had a fun time admiring the quaint houses and wandering the narrow streets - too narrow for vehicles, donkeys are still used to transport goods.

At the very highest point of the town is the Catholic cathedral of St. George. Still in use today, the original church was built in A.D. 1200 and was rebuilt three times, with the current one dating 1834.

We walked back down the narrow streets to our bus, which took us into Ermoupoli, the capital and main city of Syros. We explored the street markets and the neo-classical architecture of the Vaporia quarter.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Students, faculty, and staff met up at 1:00 p.m. on June 10 in the town of Ermoupoli on the beautiful island of Syros. After brief introductions and signing in with "Camp Mom" Alison, the luggage was loaded and we boarded the bus to our villa in Abela.We had some time to unpack and get to know our roommates, then met up at the outdoor classroom for orientation and a workshop on preparing natural insect repellants with essential oils. These repellants came in very handy during our stay!There was an hour break before dinner, and some diligent students took advantage of the time to do some studying to prepare for tomorrow's classes!

Then we walked down to the Taverna by the beach for our first "family-style" meal together, and afterwards enjoyed some traditional Greek dancing.

For information about holistic gardening or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Alternately thread the eggplant, zucchini, peppers and onions onto 8 skewers. Brush the vegetables with the salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; place the cheese mixture on a piece of waxed paper. Roll the kabobs in the crumb mixture until the vegetables are coated evenly.

Grill the kabobs directly over medium-hot coals, if using a charcoal grill, 10 to 12 minutes, or until the zucchini is crisp-tender, turning frequently. (If using a gas grill, grill the kabobs over indirect heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the zucchini is crisp-tender, turning frequently.) Place the tomatoes on the end of the skewers during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Serve warm.

Herbed Grilled Tomatoes

SERVES 4

4 small tomatoes

3 tablespoons yogurt

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon finely chopped dry bread crumbs

1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese

Remove the cores from the tomatoes; cut them in half crosswise. Spread the cut side of each tomato with the sour cream or yogurt. Sprinkle each tomato half with basil. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on top of the tomatoes. Arrange the tomato halves in a foil pie pan.

If using a charcoal grill, arrange the preheated coals around a drip pan in a covered grill. (If using a gas grill, place a drip pan over indirect heat.) Test for medium heat above the pan. Place the foil pan containing the tomatoes on the grill over the drip pan. Cover and grill the tomatoes for 10 to 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are heated through. Serve warm.

For information on Holistic Nutrition or any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

At ACHS, we’re all about environmental sustainability and we do all we can as an institution to reduce, reuse and recycle. (See our sustainability summary at www.achs.edu)

However, I have recently had the opportunity to see first hand how “green” online learning is.

I recently completed the Master Gardener program through Oregon State University. First, let me say how much I enjoyed the class, which ties nicely in with my “day” job here at the college, but also with my hobby’s of gardening, green living, agriculture, and sustainability. It is an on campus program, meaning one day each week, I drive 19 miles in my car, sit in a basement classroom with no windows and listen to people lecture from 9 to 4, with short breaks.

It has been an eye opening experience for me. First, because of the subject, we study ecology and ecosystems, so we actually discussed in class the carbon footprint of attending this class, and it was quite shocking:

- Every student drives to the location (yes I drive a Jeep, so its not gas friendly – but I live up a long bumpy driveway in the country so a Prius could not make it and the cost of a new hybrid SUV is just insane!)- We park in a large parking area that has been converted from farm land (this class is held at the Extension Research center, so lots of it is still farmed)- OSU converted the basement into a classroom with all the associated construction impact (the facility used to be a house so its not new construction)- The rooms are heated and lit, since there are no windows and no natural light- We sit at particle board tables, on metal folding chairs, all of which took resources to manufacture and off gas- We read a 400+ page printed manual and various printed handouts

We are talking about a big carbon footprint here!

InconvenienceNot only is there a significant green impact, but the personal impact has been quite significant also. Of course, it’s a great program and sometimes we have to inconvenience ourselves to get a good education, but lets look at what happened during class...

In January, we had several weeks of very nasty ice and snow. The news was warning against driving if it could be avoided, but no, I had to get dressed in multiple layers and head out onto the slick roads to get to my class. Contrast that with the fifteen steps to my nice warm home office, warmed by my super efficient wood burning fireplace fueled by wood from our woodlot to log into my online classes.

Unfortunately my daughter and I both developed Pneumonia as a result of a nasty flu bug in February. Although I was still not well enough, I could only take two weeks off class and pass, so I had to drag myself into class on the third week of my illness, still feeling weak and against doctors orders. Whereas I had been logging into my online classes most of the time I was sick, sitting in bed with my laptop, and actually enjoying the sensation of interacting with people even though I was contagious! I had to arrange my sister to stay home with my daughter, as she was not cleared to return to preschool, otherwise I would have had to pay a nanny (which would have been difficult to find anyway, since temporary nannies are not that keen on looking after sick four year olds!). So there are direct as well as indirect costs, as well as health impacts and sheer inconvenience.

Educational GoalsSo aside from the environmental and personal convenience factors, what about the education? Was this on campus program meeting my needs better than an online class would have?

On campus:- The course is based on a large printed course manual, with assigned reading for each week.- Each presentation is a PowerPoint, with a person talking along to it.- We get copies of some PowerPoints, but not others, so we must furiously take notes of any important details.- Some PowerPoints contain web links, but the presenters have no web access, so we must write down the URL and remember to go look at it when we get home- There is limited opportunity for questions at the end, usually truncated due to time.- There is no or little application of what we have been talking about and few if any practical examples- To be honest, I don’t retain much of the information until I go home and do my own study. Which surprises me to some extent, since most of the materials is fairly familiar and I work in a related field.- There are no performance objectives, so no one is quite sure what is important, and the only assessment is a test in the 10th week of this 11 week program and a five minute talk we each give.

So given all that, am I benefiting by personally meeting the people in my class?- We have short breaks (10 minutes) between each lecture – but by the time you line up to use the bathroom, its straight back into it.- At the lunch break, they have additional lectures that are valuable and most people listen to, so there is not much meaningful peer interaction, although from our brief chats, it is clear that there are some fascinating people with a lot of relevant and interesting background in our class. The few people I have had the chance to chat with are lovely and I am looking forward to getting to know them outside of class. However, unless you happen to sit next to them or stand next to them in the line for the loo (toilet!), you may not find out about them!

In contrast, with ACHS online classes:- We provide learning objectives up front, so you know what you need to learn.- You get lectures to read in the manual and online (more and more online) and lectures online can be updated throughout the class, so students do not need to make personal notes of new information- Students also access a range of resources and learning tools depending on the course including PowerPoint presentations, but supplemented with multimedia presentations such as animations, videos, audio lectures, and interactive activities- There are tests in each module so students can ensure they are meeting the learning objectives in small chunks, not waiting till the last week of the class to discover perhaps that they misunderstood a key point- There is meaningful authentic assessment in the form of various projects, essays, and labs to complete in each module to help different learners internalize the concepts and theory- There is extensive peer to peer interaction through the discussion boards and personal interaction through the cyber cafe, which allow students to connect with fellow students with similar interests- There are unlimited opportunities to ask questions via the discussion boards and instructor Q&A.- Plus, ACHS is working on ways to create audio files of instructors discussing lectures in file sizes small enough for all students to access, so soon just about every aspect of the on campus version will be covered.

Of course, education is never just about the carbon footprint, but clearly, when the educational objectives are being equaled or in my opinion exceeded by a well put together online class, why not take the opportunity to walk a little more softly on the earth and take your classes online. My two cents!

For information on any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

For information on any of our programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Besides the Herb of the Month, we also have our May oil of the month - Bay!Bay is used by some in massage blends; it helps with lymphatic congestion and strengthens the immune system, and helps alleviate muscle aches and pains.

You can sign up for the ACHS newsletter to receive emails about the Herb & Oil of the month as well as other information of what is happening at the college at:ACHS Newsletter

Remember to also visit our online apothecary shoppe to order any herb or oil of the month and also to review our specials:ACHS apothecary specials

For information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

When you order the Featured Herb of the Month you will receive a new herb of the month package. This package includes 8 oz of the herb of the month and an insert, describing your herb in detail with recipes and other fun ideas to incorporate into your natural healing lifestyle.

Rosemary officinalis, a native to the Mediterranean Region, is one of the earliest and most renowned of the English medicinal herbs. There are numerous varieties. The botany of rosemary is rather complicated with a number of varieties and forms. It is a tender perennial and will thrive best in a Mediterranean-type climate of sunny mountain slopes and dry arid lands.

For information about Herbal courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Well finally it feels as if we may have turned the corner to spring here in the northwest. Its been a wet 21 of 30 days with measurable rain here - amazingly we are still behind in monthly totals! Guess it just drizzled all the time.

However today is beautiful and sunny. It feels like we may have turned a corner. From the ACHS herbal garden the Catnip is blooming and the flax is well um flaxing. So tell me everyone... How does your herb garden grow?Be sure to check out our products for herb gardening in our online store:Apothecary Shoppe LinkYou can also find a new herb of the month there each monthHerb of the month - St Johns Wortas well as join ourHerb of the Month Club

For information about Herbal courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A great way to help with sweeping away the winter into that spring clean is by using essential oils in your cleaning!

Have you tried using a few drops of Eucalyptus on a wet towel on the counters? Or with a damp cloth add a few drops of essential oil (of your choosing) to it and putting in the dryer with your laundry? It refreshes, smells better than costly drier sheets, and is a green way to spruce up the laundry. There are a number of things you can do with essential oils in cleaning that are green and avoid using harsh chemicals.

Right now the ACHS apothecary shoppe has a special Spring Cleaning Kit! Offered at 20% savings to the normal cost while supplies last! Contains a mister, a selection of essential oils, and a recipe card.Here is the link to the kit: Spring Cleaning Kit

For further information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our AA and MS Complementary Alternative Medicine degree programs!

For further information about Aromatherapy courses or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our upcoming AA and MS degree programs.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

For further information about Holistic Health programs or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu. Be sure to ask about our upcoming AA and MS degree programs.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

I just spent four amazing days immersed in natural products and natural health education! This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. This annual event (along with its East coast counterpart, Natural Products Expo East) is the largest trade show for the natural products industry. This year there were over 3,300 exhibitors and 52,000 attendees!

Why do I go to Expo West every year? As a Holistic Health Practitioner, attending the Natural Products Expo is an excellent way to learn about the latest products and trends in the Natural Health industry. I can then offer my clients the benefits of what I've learned. Often, new products are unveiled at Expo, such as the new children's line of Bach Flower Essences. Since I use flower essences in my practice, I make it a point to visit booths such as Nelson Bach and FES and find out what's new. There are also herb companies, essential oil wholesalers and distributers, and natural food makers exhibiting at Expo. It is a great opportunity to talk with the owners of the companies about their products, learn about their company and sample the products; having so many companies in one place is very convenient, although at times very overwhelming!

In addition to walking the show floor, there are many educational opportunities at Expo. Lectures by top industry professionals take place continually throughout the weekend. You can learn about organic regulations, GMO's, probiotics, herbs... there's something for everyone! I attended several of the educational events this weekend; my favorites included Mindy Green (ACHS Advisory Board Member) and Tim Blakely's presentation "Essential Oils Make Perfect Scents". Kathy Larson, Vice President of Sustainability and Education for Frontier Co-Op/Aura Cacia and Aroma 201 graduate, gave a very informational lecture on "Tools for Sustainability". Conserving Earth's resources and lessening our "footprint" are especially important in the natural products industry, and Kathy gave some very practical ways to do this.

It was also inspiring to visit the booths of ACHS students and graduates whose companies were exhibiting there. Laura Lamun, owner and formulator of Little Moon Essentials, had the best smelling booth! Attendees got to take home samples of her salves, "Sleep Comes Easy", and "Asana Kisser", both of which came in very handy over the weekend. Zhena Muzyka, of Zhena's Gypsy Tea, had an incredibly busy booth with people waiting in line to sample her aromatic teas. Steffany Kaminsky's booth was in the Hot Products Hall; she works for a company called The Whole Kidoodle which carries natural and organic products for children. There were many other ACHS students and graduates there as retail buyers or health practitioners who were walking the floor. It was fun and exciting to see where their natural health education has taken them!

To learn more about the Natural Products Expo and how to register, visit their websites: www.expowest.com or www.expoeast.comRegistration for Holistic Health Practitioners is free.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Having tolerated all the Winter I can reasonably be expected to tolerate, and all the viral illness (patients and family) that anyone can tolerate, I have declared it Spring in Oklahoma City. My Pear Tree agrees, it is blooming today. Celebrating with golf and cookout.Herb Crusted Tuna Steak is served at Redbone Alley. It is a whole lot more reasonable at my house. This recipe is meant to serve 2 and can be adjusted as needed.Ingredients:2 2 inch thick yellow fin tuna steaks1/2 c. each fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and cilantro1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped garlic2 lemons, juiced1 Tbsp. sea salt1/2 Tbsp. fresh black pepper1/2 c. extra virgin olive oilSteal This Recipe® step-by-step instructions:1) Grind in a food processor the herbs, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to make a rub.2) Using your hands, press the herb rub into the tuna steaks well, being sure to coat all the sides of the fish.3) Let them stand in the fridge for 4-6 hours so the flavors infuse into the steaks.4) Prepare a hot charcoal grill. Gas is far inferior for tuna steaks.5) Brush each side of the tuna steaks with olive oil and place them on the grill for 2-3 minutes on the first side.6) Flip the steaks and grill them on the second side for 2-3 minutes for a good medium rare. If you’d like to baste the steaks while grilling, simply add a little olive oil to the leftover herb mixture and brush this on the fish as it grills.7) Be careful not to overcook the tuna as it easily dries out. Enjoy!

For further information about Holistic Nutrition or any of our other programs at ACHS please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day - Be good to your heart!

Cardiovascular training, such as aerobics and running, strengthens the heart and enables it to pump more efficiently, so that fewer beats per minute are required.

Choose an exercise you enjoy. It can be a long walk in the park, swimming, dancing, yoga, jazzercise, circuit training, step class, spinning, skipping, running, biking, tai chi, as long as you do it regularly. This means at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week on a regular basis.

Remember to work at your own pace and that more is not necessarily better. Studies have shown significant health benefits from a 30-minute walk three times a week, so do not feel that you have to join the nearest health club or buy a lot of expensive exercise equipment.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Here is an interesting link to some research on Flower Essences:By clicking on the below link you will download a PDF file regarding Bach Flower Essences. If it does not automatically download on the webpage that will appear click on the "Begin manual download" link.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Kids Cold Remedies

IT’S COLD & FLU SEASON – KEEP YOUR CHILDREN HEALTHYWhen your child gets a cold or the flu, everybody’s miserable! You want to do something to help them, but what?

OVER THE COUNTER COLD MEDICINES COULD BE DANGEROUS!In an article on November 1, CNN reports ”These medications have been blamed for more than 100 deaths and at least thousands of trips to the emergency room.” You’ve probably read some of the many news stories about the dangers of children’s over the counter cold and flu remedies. An FDA panel recommends using no cold medicines for children under 6, and to use caution with children even up to 12.

THE APOTHECARY SHOPPE HAS NATURAL ALTERNATIVESSimple ingredients and instructions are available for natural alternatives to these potentially dangerous medicines are available at many local & online stores,. One such is The Apothecary Shoppe, which carries a large selection of Homeobotanicals, herbs, essential oils, books and charts, including many of those listed below. Ordering online is an easy way to get the ingredients you need all in one place, and have them delivered right to your door.

ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL.Deborah Halvorson, BA, Dip Aroma, RA and Instructor at Australasian College of Health Sciences has some natural remedy advice for concerned parents and caregivers “I've never used over-the-counter cold remedies with my kids, just herbs and essential oils, and when the colds start going around, my kids generally get over it much quicker than their friends and classmates.”

Melt beeswax and olive oil in top of double boiler. Allow to cool a bit and add essential oils. Pour into clean containers, label and date. To use, rub a small amount on the child's chest.

“When my child wakes up coughing in the middle of the night, I rub the vapor balm on his/her chest; the coughing stops almost immediately and the child (and mom) are able to get back to sleep. “ For children two to ten years old, use Eucalyptus smithii and Thyme linalool; for older children and adults, E. globulus or E. radiata and Thyme ct. thymol can be used. For children ages 12 months to 2 years, the above recipe can adapted using only the Eucalyptus smithii and leaving out the Peppermint and Thyme oils.

A combination of Lemon (Citrus limonum) and Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) essential oils is helpful if the child has a cold/flu with a fever. Lemon will help reduce the fever, and Marjoram is great for respiratory infections and will help the child sleep. Blend 10 drops of Lemon with 5 drops Marjoram and use 1 drop of the blend in a warm bath before bedtime or nap time, or use the blend in a nebulizing diffuser.

Steam inhalation is a very effective way to administer essential oils if there is nasal congestion or sinus infection. For children over the age of five, use 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to six cups of water; boil the water and pour into a bowl, then add the essential oils. Have the child inhale the steam, being sure to keep their eyes closed and their face 8 to 12 inches from the bowl. For children under the age of five, rather than having them directly inhale the steam, place the bowl in the same room as the child and they will receive the benefits of the essential oils being dispersed into the air via the steam. Essential oils that are effective and safe for children include:Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) - An expectorant, strengthens the immune system, has a calming/sedative actionFrankincense (Boswellia carteri) - Immune system stimulant, helps with cough and bronchial congestionManuka/New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) - Is effective for bronchial congestion/bronchitis, sinus congestion/sinusitis, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of streptococcus (bacteria that cause strep throat) as well as bacteria that cause pneumonia.Marjoram (Origanum majorana) An expectorant; helpful for respiratory infections and sinusitis; has a calming actionRosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Useful for respiratory infections and sinusitis (can be stimulating, do not use before bedtime)*Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) - Is useful for sinusitis and bronchitis. *Should not be used with children under the age of two

A room spray can also be used, and will not only benefit the sick child, but help stop the spread of germs and keep other family members from catching the cold/flu. Here's a sample recipe:4 oz. distilled water10 drops Manuka/New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium)10 drops Lemon (Citrus limonum)5 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)5 drops Marjoram (Origanum majorana)3 drops Frankincense (Boswelia carterii)Pour into a 4 oz glass spray bottle. Shake well before spraying. Can be sprayed into the air or onto doorknobs or bathroom surfaces. Do not spray directly onto wood or plastic surfaces.

Warm tea with honey (no honey for children under 12 months old) is soothing and comforting. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a favorite of mine for reducing fever and calming fussy children. For coughs and achiness from the flu, the Lemon balm can be combined with Peppermint and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

If you have questions regarding any products or have interest in any courses regarding holistic health feel free to call us at 800-487-8839 and ask for the apothecary shop or an admissions advisor.

Friday, January 04, 2008

ACHS Diploma in Herbal Studies Graduate and 2005 DETC Outstanding Graduate of the Year Heide North has continued to build upon her success with her business, Urban Herbal Woman. Her business has recently also started a new venture (Pure Skincare) to expand others’ knowledge of skin care.

“Pure Skincare was originally created to provide people a natural, affordable option for their skin care needs. We feel that everyone - women, men, and especially children - are being exposed to far too many chemicals in the environment. It is our goal to educate consumers, and provide them with the best alternative for their skin.”

In order to touch the most people, Heidi has started a program to teach making and selling skin care products. “It is our goal to offer a business opportunity for those wanting to be home and have their own business.”

For further information visit the Urban Herbal Woman website. www.urbanherbalwoman.com

For further information about the Diploma in Herbal studies at ACHS or any of our other programs please contact an admissions advisor today! Call 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.